Lieberman: Rice has had 'distinguished career up until now'

11/25/12 10:22 AM EST

Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) says he wouldn't be an "automatic no" if U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Susan Rice is nominated to become secretary of state.

Lieberman, discussing some of the questions that remain unanswered in the weeks following the attack on the U.S. consulate in Benghazi, Libya, that killed four Americans, called the narrative after the attacks "a real concern."

"I think, particularly in fairness to Ambassador Rice, there ought to be the widest public airing of what led to her statements and others in the administration particularly obviously if she's going to be nominated for secretary of state or some other high office," Lieberman said in an interview aired Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

Asked by host Candy Crowley whether he'd be an "automatic no" if President Barack Obama nominates Rice, Lieberman said he wouldn't be.

"She's had a distinguished career up until now," Lieberman said. "Secondly, I don't know, I don't feel that I know exactly what she was told before she went on TV that Sunday morning, and I think we ought to find out before we decide on whether she's a good or bad public servant."